Mohammedan Sporting and Tollygunge Agragami stayed in the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw in a dull eighth National Football League match at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.

Sporting went ahead in the first half through Syed Rahim Nabi before Gouranga Dutta restored parity for Tollygunge with a spectacular volley after the breather.

The game, played virtually at walking pace, saw Sporting go into the lead as early as the 13th minute when a Syed Hussain pass reached Nabi after Tollygunge defender Kabijit Khotel made heavy weather in intercepting it. Nabi had all the time in the world to put the ball home.

The rest of the session was a tale of wayward passing, unimaginative play and frequent frayed tempers, with the game confined largely to the midfield.

But Tollygunge put up an improved show in the second half, playing a constructive game, and drew level in the 61^st minute.

An Akeem Abolanle pass was followed by Gouranga Dutta, who slammed a power-packed volley from an acute angle on the left. The ball swerved and dipped to enter the goal, leaving the entire Sporting defence, including goalkeeper Amar Deb, watching helplessly.

After 15 matches, Sporting have 15 points, one more than Tollygunge. The two sides occupy the 10th and 11th positions respectively in the 12-team league, with Indian Bank bringing up the rear.